Review of ARTIST TO ARTIST: 23 MAJOR ILLUSTRATORS TALK TO CHILDREN ABOUT THEIR ART by Eric Carle

Bibliography
Carle, Eric. 2007. Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art. Ill. by Mitsumasa Anno, Quentin Blake, Ashley Bryan, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Eric Carle, Tomie dePaola, Jane Dyer, Mordicai Gerstein, Robert Ingpen, Steven Kellogg, Leo Lionni, Petra Mathers, Wendell Minor, Barry Moser, Jerry Pinkney, Alice Provensen, Robert Sabuda, Matthew Reinhart, Maurice Sendak, Gennady Spirin, Chris Van Allsburg, Rosemary Wells, and Paul O. Zelinsky. ISBN 9780399246005


Plot Summary
In this exquisitely beautiful picture book, Eric Carle compiles the profiles and artwork of twenty-three brilliant artists who illustrate children’s literature. Each artist is introduced with a short “letter” to children regarding art and creativity. Some of the letters are autobiographical in nature; others are explanations of their particular style; all are intriguing and offer encouragement for the young artist within us all. Eric Carle sagely tells the children, “My way is just one approach, but there are as many different kinds of artists, illustrators, designers, and picture-makers, just as there are many kinds of people in the world.”


Following the introductory letters are self-portraits of each artist. These drawings alone would make any art gallery or picture book swell with pride. As a bonus, when you turn the flap of each self-portrait, samples of the artist’s work spring from the pages and pull you into each of their magical worlds. A special point of interest is the inclusion of childhood drawings from many of the illustrators.


Critical Analysis
Famed children’s book illustrator Eric Carle presents an anthology of fellow artists who have made waves in the world of children’s picture books. While this is not a traditional children’s book, in the sense that there is no set storyline, this book maintains a quality that would provide a treasured read aloud to children and adults of all ages. The artists provide brief explanations of how they felt about art, school, and life as children. Many share how they went from doodling on the margins of their homework to becoming accomplished illustrators. There are common themes of following one’s passions and honing individual skills, whether as an artist or in another vocation.


The artwork within each chapter is vivid, bold, and colorful. There is a broad, all-encompassing range of artistic styles displayed within the pages. From the watercolor cowboys of Jerry Pinkney to the pop-up creations of Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart, we see the genius in each stroke of the brush or cut of the paper. The visual effect of this book is reason alone to show to children. The letters from each artist are the proverbial cherries on top.


Review Excerpts
Children's Literature:  "In an attractive package, all this information helps us understand a bit about the artists' origins and current thinking about their work."
Kirkus Reviews:  "Their diversity shines in the text of their letters, in which they share childhood stories, sources of inspiration, views on art, details of how they work and advice on becoming an artist."


Connectons
*This book is an excellent resource to prompt a discussion about "what I want to be when I grow up."
*Children could write letters back to the artists about their own aspirations.
*Children can explore and read the many picture books that are mentioned in this book.
*This book could be used to introduce various styles of art.